Pediatric Patients With Chronic Pain in the Emergency Department

This article presents an overview for the treatment of patients with chronic pain in the emergency department. In addition to best practices, it helps the emergency care provider to treat this patient population without having to use opioid medications. Referrals to physical therapists and pain psychologists are discussed, and information is included about the most effective nonopioid medications that can be used to treat patients with chronic pain. Finally, care providers, hospital administration, and social workers are provided with methods to help reduce the number of repeat visits by chronic pain patients.